'Look ahead and be bold,' Anderson urges NACDS members as group marks 80th year

By Alaric DeArment

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson pledged to be proactive in advocating for pharmacy in the organization's 80th year.

Speaking at the NACDS' Regional Chain Conference Monday, Anderson said pharmacy stood at an "inflection point," with many more on the horizon.

"Many of you tell me that decision-makers seem to recognize pharmacy's value as the face of neighborhood health care more than before," Anderson said. "Many of you tell me that community pharmacy and the consumer goods side of the business have tremendous opportunities, but the trick will be capitalizing on them. I also hear about the challenges that could stifle not only innovation, but also the viability of some businesses."

In addition to the pledge of advocacy, Anderson said the organization would "embark on a determined journey to earn the recognition for pharmacies as healthcare providers in Medicare" and provide an "innovative product" in the NACDS Total Store Expo, which will take place in Las Vegas in August.

The theme for the group's 80th anniversary, Anderson said, would be "Experience It!" This would represent its response to the current operating environment and reflect the central focus of member engagement in its work.

"If there is one thing that has no place in NACDS, it's sitting back and waiting for things to happen," Anderson said. "The words 'Experience It!' issue an invitation — an invitation to gather at events like this one to collaborate and innovate, and an invitation to earn results through expertise in advocacy, communications and business building."

Anderson urged attendees of the conference to "look ahead and be bold."

"NACDS has sought nothing less than creating an experience that helps you do what you do and be who you are," Anderson said. "And it's that oneness with the membership that allows NACDS to take on the challenge of successfully navigating healthcare reform … the challenge of pursuing greater roles for pharmacy in healthcare delivery … and the challenge of settling for nothing less than creating the ideal forum for advancing business relationships and strategic dialogue."